Making it happen
August 1st 2004

John Thoday, managing director of The Health & Safety People (pictured left) explores some of the obstacles to implementing effective health and safety on construction sites

The fall out from a construction site accident can be catastrophic. The emotional loss of a personal friend or colleague may never heal, while the financial consequences can be enough to destroy a business. All too often health and safety is overlooked, supposedly to save time and money. It is too costly to ignore.

The construction site is a complex workplace. Numerous contractors, subcontractors and multiple layers of management can make it difficult to communicate effectively and implement health and safety best practice. The principal contractor is responsible for setting the initial health and safety plan and has the sometimes unenviable task of co-ordinating all the contractor teams involved. Everyone involved in the project from senior management to skilled and unskilled labourers needs to buy into the health and safety plan; to recognise its importance and the need to work within it.

Before any construction project begins there must be a thorough assessment of all the work related risks. The risk assessment is then used to establish a method statement which outlines how to safely carry out procedures while mitigating any potential hazards. The method statement will summarise what people are going to do, how they are going to do it and the safety implications of each individual activity. It will cover multiple aspects of the job including site layout, the use of tools and the delivery and handling of materials.

Remember health and safety is about just that: health and safety. Too often people make the mistake of focusing on safety issues while paying scant attention to occupational health and welfare. Ironically as time goes by it often becomes clear that longer term health risks pose the greater threat. Witness the rising prevalence of skin cancer among those who have failed to heed advice to slip, slap and slop in the sunshine.

Contractor management issues can pose intractable hurdles to successful health and safety management in construction. Health and safety responsibilities need to be cascaded down to every contractor on site. The Health & Safety Executive (HSE) can provide help. Its health and safety management HSG65 guidance notes offer advice on how to achieve improved health and safety performance. These include, active monitoring systems, which encourage regular checks on the health and safety impact of site activities on the immediate and surrounding environment and the systematic inspection of equipment and premises.

Responsibility can also be a problem. Each party from the client right through to the sub contractors needs to have clear idea of their own responsibilities and liabilities before a project commences. All are potentially exposed to liability and could be subject to insurance claims or litigation in the event of an accident attributable to their negligence.

If it is going to work, the health and safety plan needs to be outlined in the initial contract before any work is allowed to commence. To reduce the risks on site, all groups need to meet regularly to see how each groups action will impact upon the other and to minimise ongoing hazards and possible liabilities. It may take a bit of time, but will save far more if things do go wrong.

Clear communication is essential too. It is no good telling workers, who may not speak English, to turn up in safety footwear. Say exactly what is required, so there is no room for misunderstanding. If boots with a steel toecap and mid-sole boot are required then make this clear. Failure to do so renders the contractor liable for any accident attributable to inadequate protection. Anyone responsible for procuring protective equipment should have a thorough understanding of the current standards regarding personal protective equipment (PPE) and the Personal Protective Equipment at Work Regulations 1992 (PPEW Regulations).

The HSE conducts random site spot checks as a result of reported complaints and it has a range of powers at its disposal depending on the severity of the health and safety breach. These include a simple verbal warning, improvement notice, prohibition notice and if these are ignored prosecution. In the worst case scenario persistent offenders could face a fine up to 20 000 or even six months imprisonment if an offence goes to magistrates court, and rather more at crown court, as set out in the HSEs Enforcement Policy Statement.

Contractors beware. The HSE also publishes accident reports on companies, which anyone reviewing tenders would be well advised to view. The financial consequences of ignoring health and safety can indeed be onerous. If that is not enough, just remember that skimping on health and safety could lead to the serious injury or death of a colleague. It could even be you. Whatever obstacles you encounter to ensuring adequate health and safety, a thorough, planned and professional approach will help to overcome them.